Zoi passed away peacefully on the evening of October 11th in White Rock, BC at the age of 89. We want to thank the staff at Peace Arch Hospital Foundation Lodge who loved and cared for our Mom during such difficult circumstances. In the wake of COVID, they became her surrogate family. In our being able to spend time with Mom in her final days, we saw the bond that had developed and the love she had for her care team. We are ever-grateful for this. Mom spent her last day surrounded by her three children; Spiro, Maria, and Sonia. A special thank you to Father Kostas who altered his schedule to ensure he could visit with her that day.
Born in 1930 and raised in Kilkis, Greece, Zoi was the third of five children. As a young girl, Zoi was pragmatic, selfless, stubborn, and had a deep love of learning. Her father saw and embraced these traits in her. Despite the era and coming from modest means, upon graduating from high school, he borrowed money to send her to Athens, Greece where she began her training to become a nurse, a profession perfectly suited to her passion of learning and helping others. She excelled and was chosen to assist a top neurosurgeon with his research while continuing her studying. On one of her train-commutes to Athens, she met the man who would eventually become her husband, Pantelis (Peter) Pegios. At the time however, Zoi already had sights on an opportunity to train and work as a nurse in Canada and with that, she embarked on a life-changing journey.
On her own, she immigrated to Canada in 1961, landing in Edmonton, AB. Studying and working at Edmonton General Hospital, she was soon followed by Peter. They married in 1963 and began their family. In Edmonton, Zoi and Peter established a very close-knit group of friends that would last their lifetime. Zoi’s path from Greece to Canada was eventually followed by other family members and in 1973, she and Peter moved to Surrey, BC to be closer to her brother Dimitrios (Jim), his wife Maria, and their family. Surrey would become their permanent home.
Zoi sought to help anyone, be it a family member, friend, or stranger. Her home was open to anyone who needed an ear, a hug, food, or a place to stay, no matter their position or stature in life. She looked after all as they were her own. Anyone who faced difficulty in their lives were lifted in the face of her compassion and wisdom.
Despite the era and small-town in which she grew up, she was progressive and open-minded. She wanted more for her children and her family. She experienced hardships, from moving to a new country with a new language and culture, to losing her husband Peter to cancer in 1990, but she faced everything she endured with unwavering courage and always found something to smile about.
She continued her nursing career at Surrey Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 1990. When not caring for her immediate and extended family, her favourite pastimes were gardening, knitting, cooking, and playing Bingo. She continued to make everyone she crossed paths with better in some way.
Zoi is predeceased by her parents, Paul and Makrina Agelidis, her sister Anna, and her husband Peter. She is survived by her sisters Arhondi, Angele and her brother Dimitrios. She is greatly missed by her children Spiro (Sue), Maria (David) and Sonia (Doug), her grandchildren Harrison, Matthew, Jason, Alyssa, Lindsey, Lauren, Ellie, Abby, her great-granddaughter Natalie, and numerous nieces and nephews, both in Greece and in Canada. The loss is immense for all of us.
No formal service will be held at Mom’s request. Her wish was to be cremated. All of you that knew her, loved her. The greatest gift you could give her would be to honour the memories you have of her while she was alive, and to live your best life.
We are going through old photos and working on a virtual album to commemorate her journey through life. If you have any photos to share, please send them our way. When COVID days are behind us, we look forward to being together and raising a glass for her.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the following causes in her honour:
· BC SPCA (https://spca.bc.ca/)
· Peace Arch Hospital Foundation (https://www.pahfoundation.ca/)
· Surrey Women’s Centre (https://surreywomenscentre.ca/)
· UBC Body Program (https://cps.med.ubc.ca/bodyprogram/)
To us, you were a Saint, Mom. There is not enough we could say to honour who you were. We are eternally grateful to have been shaped by you. Until we meet again.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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